I have a 4-digit display that I am multiplexing (using a MAX7219, which has a scan rate of 800Hz). These are large digits (2.3"), and when I drive a stand-alone single digit with a 12V supply, I can use a 510 ohm current-limiting resistor per segment and it's just as bright as I want it (and near the maximum allowable current). When I multiplex using the same value of current-limiting resistor, of course it's dimmer, so here is my question:

Can I just reduce the value of the current-limiting resistor to make my multiplexed digits brighter?

If I use a lower-value resistor, I'm concerned that during the "on" time, the current will exceed the rating of the LED segments. If this is a valid concern, is there a standard solution to increasing the brightness when multiplexing? Or are dim digits the price one pays for multiplexing?

I think I said a current-limiting resistor per segment in my original post . But my original question remains: Can I simply reduce the value of the current-limiting resistor per segment? Even if at non-multiplexed, constant 12V the 510 ohm resistor per segment is about as low as I can go before exceeding the per-segment max current?

By my calculation, this yields a current-limiting resistor per segment of 330 ohms. So I could conceivably go this low, but I guess I'm wondering if in a multiplexed situation, could I go even lower? Say 220 ohms?

We'd need more information to say definitively. Do you have a datasheet for these LEDs?

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I can upload one tonight, at work right now. That said, I may have written the parameters down that you are looking for. Can you tell me which values from the datasheet you need besides the ones I listed? I may have jotted them down. Thanks!

I make 6v/0.02 =300R which is a preferred value, this will almost double the present current when using a 560R.

Why not just modify one digit to 300R and see if that is bright enough.

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That may do the trick, thanks. But let's just say for this LED I wanted to go to 200R because I wanted it even brighter. Hypothetically speaking, does multiplexing permit "overdriving" the segment? If not, that's fine, but just wondering if the fact that the LED is off for much of the time does this permit a bit more current than if the LED were constantly on. My instinct says overdriving is probably a bad idea, even if it's blinking off a lot.

The datasheet may give a current rating for a specified pulse period.
The 20mA I suspect is a continuous rating.

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Excellent, I will check on this.

EDIT: I just did a quick google search and found a datasheet for 2.3" LED and it looks like the max current per segment is commonly LOWER for pulsed digits. (Footnote 1 of this datasheet recommends max of 20 mA for pulsed operation. Max continuous current is variable depending on color but is commonly greater than 20 mA).

So, if I do need brighter, I may need a different trick other than lowering the resistors below the minimum recommended value.

Peak Current Per Segment is the pulsed current - note 1 explains what the waveform looks like that measured that value. It also goes on to say that the lifetime will be lessened, which is true of any over-driven component...

When you look at raw multiplexing without a latch, the effect is the same as using PWM for brightness control The more digits, the lower the light output since each digit will be waiting for all the other digits to be scanned before it gets its turn to light up again.

Peak Current Per Segment is the pulsed current - note 1 explains what the waveform looks like that measured that value. It also goes on to say that the lifetime will be lessened, which is true of any over-driven component...

The DC Forward Current Per Segment is for constant current.

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Thanks, I AM mixed up, I see now. Pulsed is higher current, typically, than constant. Except for blue....strange...

In any case, it seems I need to calculate the average current when pulsing, and ideally this should not exceed 20 mA (or whatever this value is for my displays).